New $64m Pekatahi Bridge aims to ease SH2 bottleneck and secure vital freight link

The asphalt over wooden boards on the deck of the Pekatahi Bridge began to deteriorate within days of repairs. Photo / Troy Baker, Whakatāne Beacon

The Pekatahi Bridge on State Highway 2 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is set to be replaced at a cost of about $64 million.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said today the bridge near Tāneatua was “not fit for purpose and needs to be replaced”.

About $5 million has been approved by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) for the detailed design and consenting of a new two-lane bridge.

The new bridge was expected to cost between $64m and $69m.

Bishop said this included the demolition of the existing bridge.

NZTA already owned the necessary land to deliver the project.

He said SH2 was a vital link connecting Gisborne and the Tairāwhiti region with the Bay of Plenty, Hamilton and Auckland.

“The highway supports tourism, essential fuel and food supplies and the export of local products.”

Bishop said the local community and the freight industry had been vocal with their concerns about the one-lane bridge.

“It’s rough, uneven and requires frequent, disruptive maintenance. Originally, a deck replacement was planned to begin in early 2026, however, detailed inspections have revealed a full replacement is needed.

The 100-year-old, one-lane Pekatahi Bridge near Taneatua is the main route for freight between the East Coast and Tauranga and Rotorua.

“Replacing the existing one-lane bridge is in the best interests of the region to support economic growth, strengthen the state highway network, and ensure more reliable journey times for locals and freight moving between Tairāwhiti, the Bay of Plenty and the Port of Tauranga.”

Construction of the two-lane bridge was likely to begin in mid-2027, and would take about 18 months to complete.

He said final costs would be confirmed once construction funding was approved and a contractor was appointed.

“The new two-lane bridge will be constructed next to the current bridge, meaning no long-term closure of the current bridge during construction. This will minimise disruption and ensure continued access for the local community and road users.

“The bridge would be delivered using a modern standard design, making it efficient and cost-effective to build. The design will include earthquake-resilient foundations for improved seismic safety, and an elevated deck to protect against flooding and extreme weather. It will also be built to a standard that accommodates High Productivity Motor Vehicles, meaning better outcomes for freight.”

In the meantime, Bishop said NZTA would ensure the existing bridge continued to service the community by installing steel plates on its deck and actively monitoring and maintaining the structure.

This work was expected to start early next year.

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick said she was “delighted” the bridge would be replaced with a “two-laned sensible option”. .

“As the only remaining one-lane structure on SH2, and not being in great shape, it has been the topic of many a conversation in the Eastern BOP over the past two years and beyond.

“It is a critical route for inter-regional traffic, exports to the ports and our local communities and this commitment by the Government and NZTA is welcome news.”